An emergency warning - the highest possible alert - was issued for a blaze west of Goongerah, in East Gippsland, on Monday afternoon (local time) and an evacuation order remains in place. Emergency warnings have also been issued in East Gippsland for the W Tree fire, Ramrod Creek, Bullumwaal, Clifton Creek, Deptford, Mount Taylor, Waterholes and Fairhope. The highest alert has also been issued for Suggan Buggan, Buchan, Buchan South and Sunny Point. The fires in East Gippsland are too dynamic, dangerous and continue to spread very quickly," she said. The temperature hit the forecast top of 43degC in Bairnsdale, before a cool change is due in West Gippsland on Monday night and East Gippsland on Tuesday morning.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 30, 2019 01:41 UTC